They watch the manic pacing back and forth in front of the couch, holding their breath because one wrong move, one wrong word will make things worse.

“She can’t be back. She CAN’T! She’s going to ruin everything, why can’t he see that?!”

Getting out of town for a little while seemed like a good idea at the time. Cole didn’t want anyone’s help and there were things that needed to be taken care of before he discovered the truth on his own. That couldn’t happen. That could NEVER happen. They all made mistakes that could never be undone, and Cole would never forgive them if he knew the truth. All the years of lying and hiding were taking their toll on everyone. They made up stories about vacations to faraway places to excuse their absences in an attempt to rid the house of the evil that lurked inside, but it never worked. They came home and it started all over again. No one would ever believe it, no one would ever suspect what was happening to the perfect Vargas family, they made sure of it.

Olivia was supposed to stay away. Hadn’t she been through enough? Hadn’t she seen that this family was poison? She paid the ultimate price for loving one of them. When would it ever end?

“I have to fix this. I have to make this right. Don’t you see? He needs me to show him the life he’s supposed to lead. He keeps screwing it up, over and over again. WHY THE FUCK WON’T HE JUST LISTEN TO ME?!”

The delusions had always been there, they just chose to ignore them until it was no longer possible. They realized too late that they’d let things go on for far too long, so long that there was nothing left they could do to save the mind that was hopelessly shattered or protect the people around them from the monster that emerged afterwards.

One of them finally moves forward in an attempt to calm the fury that has blown through the room.

“You’ve been doing so well, don’t let this ruin things. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

A loud, violent yell pierces the quiet room as hands swipe across the top of the desk, papers and folders, paperweights and picture frames smashing to the floor. They watch in horror as a painting is yanked from the wall and thrown across the room. They swallow their tears as furniture is overturned and the sound of chaos around them finally brings others rushing into the room to lend assistance.

As they watch the person they love, despite everything, being dragged out of the room kicking and shouting curses, they wonder where the hell they went wrong. They blame themselves for the situation they’re in, and rightly so. Sometimes the things you do for the ones you love have consequences. They are ALL going to pay the price for this, but there’s no turning back now.

The two left behind stand in silence in the now empty mess of a room. The only good thing to come out of all of this is the new strength in their relationship. It’s been a long time since they saw eye-to-eye on something. They both made their share of mistakes in that regard, but at least now they’re on the same side.

“I know you’re the one who got her the job as Cole’s nurse.”

A guilty silence fills the room.

“I know you thought you were doing something good, but do you see now? Do you see why I did what I did?”

The response is a heavy sigh and a simple nod.

“I’ll fix this, I promise. We’re going to be okay. Everything is going to be fine.”

They walk out of the room, each of them thinking about the steps that will need to be taken, each of them dreading the part they are going to have to play.

Everything they do is to protect the ones they love. In order to save them all, someone has to get hurt in the process.

It’s the only way.

They made their deal with the devil a long time ago. Right now, all they can do is pray that this one last action doesn’t cost them everything.

I WAKE WITH a smile on my face when I feel Cole’s hand travel up the inside of my thigh as he presses his lips to the back of my neck.

Feigning sleep, I let him continue with his wandering hand until it slides between my legs and his fingers brush against my clit. I let out a sigh and push my ass back against him, finding him hard and ready for me.

“Wake up, sleepy head,” he whispers, trailing his tongue along the edge of my earlobe.

“Five more minutes¸” I tease.

He pushes a finger inside me and slides his thumb back and forth over my clit.

“Fuck, never mind. Who needs sleep?” I mumble as he slowly works his finger in and out of me.

“Good answer,” Cole growls.

He moves his hand from between my legs and before I can protest, he quickly pulls my thigh back over his hip and pushes his cock into me in one strong thrust.

We groan in unison. He wraps one arm around my waist and I reach behind me, clutching onto his ass, pulling him deeper inside me. We start moving slowly, his hips rocking gently as I push my ass against him with each stroke.

I feel him push up on one elbow and I turn my head to look up at him.

“Touch yourself, baby. Make yourself come while I fuck you.”

His words turn me on and I feel myself getting wetter as he picks up the pace, grabbing onto my hip and pulling me roughly against him. I feel his ass clench under my hand as he slams into me again and again. I quickly let go and move my hand between my legs, spreading my fingers and letting his cock slide between them as he thrusts.

“Fuck, Liv. FUCK. You feel so damn good,” he mutters, trailing kisses along my cheek.

I move my hand up and circle my clit with two fingers, whimpering at how good it feels to have him inside me while I touch myself. I did this on my own for far too long and it never satisfied me.